Kel's question hung in the air, unanswered. A heavy silence descended upon the makeshift gathering as they ate, the only sounds of the soft tearing of meat and the occasional clinking of plastic cups. Their gazes flickered between each other, hesitant and guarded, a palpable tension stifling any attempt at conversation.

  "Seriously?" Kel finally broke the quiet, his gaze direct and questioning. "What is this? Some kind of silent supper of mutual distrust? Are we so afraid of each other's opinions that we can't even speak?"

  'I don't want to be the first.' Acacia thought to herself as she chewed on her meat.

  "I will go first," Jahir spoke up.

  "Finally, someone is courageous around here." Kel took a sip of water.

  "...My name is Jahir. By trade, I was a healer, patching up the sick and injured in a small hospital. I have little patience for unnecessary conflict or overly irritating company. The piano offers a welcome escape, a world of order and harmony. Zephyra found me in the aftermath of the second apocalypse's dawn. I was the first she took in before Edwin joined our little band."

  "Huh. You don't exactly seem like someone who worked as a healer." Kel commented, tilting his head with a curious frown.

  "And since when does looks mean profession?" Jahir retorted, his red eyes narrowing slightly.

  "Point taken. Alright, my turn to spill the beans," Kel said, taking a deep breath, his earlier levity fading. "I'm Kel Dera, twenty-two years and an only child raised by a single, incredible woman. And the truth is... I'm a damn hypocrite." He paused, the weight of his confession settling in the air. "My mom owned a little restaurant, cosy and warm, where I used to help out sometimes. It was simple, but it was ours. Everything shifted when my fire magic manifested. I was a naive idiot, thrilled at the idea of being a hero, of finally having the power to give my mom everything she deserved. Instead... I took her for granted, big time."

  "Took her for granted?" Acacia asked. 'You don't seem like the kind.'

  "Yeah," Kel confirmed, a self-deprecating smile touching his lips as Acacia frowned. "You see, when I started schooling, and my powers really started to bloom...the training, the recognition... I got a reputation. Suddenly, the cool kids wanted to hang with the 'fire prodigy.' And, being young and dumb, I went along with it. But slowly, this... this shame started to creep in. I couldn't bring myself to tell them my mom ran a hole-in-the-wall diner. I started to resent how small it was, how... ordinary. I lost all pride in her honest work. My stupid plan was to become this big-shot hero, rake in the cash, and buy her some huge, fancy place so I wouldn't feel like such a loser. Then, everything would be perfect."

  "That doesn't make you a hypocrite, Kel. You were a kid, figuring things out. We've all had those moments where we felt… disconnected from our families, especially during those awkward teenage years," Edwin said.

  "God, I wish it had just been a phase," Kel choked out, a raw edge to his voice. "Something stupid I'd look back on and cringe at. But it just... grew. I actively avoided home as I got older, terrified of what my fancy Flow buddies would think. I buried myself in training, earned these scars as proof of my ambition, and climbed the ranks fast. Flow was supposed to be my escape, the way to finally build that damn restaurant and bury that shame. And then… the second apocalypse. I found my mom… crushed under the debris." Kel’s breath hitched, his eyes fixed on the untouched meal.

  "I got her to the hospital," Kel said, his voice hollow, "and she was in a coma for what felt like an eternity while the rest of us were trying to rebuild what was left of Encer. The guilt… it was crushing. What did any of my plans matter if she wasn't there to share them? And then I went to see her, expecting her to still be… still… and there was blood. So much blood. The nurses… they were dead. And mom… she was… devouring them."

  Bella gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "She… she was a beast-man?"

  "Panther type," Kel whispered, his gaze distant, haunted. "It was like watching something… unholy. That gentle, kind woman reduced to… instinct. She didn't know me. She attacked me. Why would she? Why would she recognize the son who’d turned his back on her? She was a monster, they were going to exterminate her. I couldn't… I couldn't let them do that to her. So… I did it myself. I killed my own mother." A single tear tracked down his cheek.

  "How could you?! She was still your mother!" Bella's voice cracked, sharp with disbelief and a hint of accusation.

  "Bella, take a breath," Jahir cautioned gently, his hand resting lightly on her arm.

  "You think the choice was easy for me?" Kel said, a harsh laugh escaping him. "You think standing there, watching them decide when and how to put her down was easy? The only mercy I could give her was to end her pain quickly." He scrubbed a hand over his face, the raw emotion evident. Bella turned her back, unable to meet his gaze. "And the messed-up part? They actually commended me for it. Called it strength. They were even considering moving me up. But every breath felt heavy. What did any of it matter when she wasn't there to see it? So, during a patrol, I walked away. Left my team behind and made a beeline for the Ruins. Got jumped, fought like hell, and that's where I stumbled upon Zephyra. I fully expected her to attack me, still in my Flow gear, but she just looked at me, concerned. Asked if I was hurt. I probably looked like a mess, all blood and tears. I don't know… I just went with her."

  Maximus rose from his spot and moved with his characteristic quiet strength towards Kel. He enveloped him in a massive hug, his large hand gently rubbing Kel's back.

  "Words are not my strong suit," Acacia said, her voice low. "But if it was my mom and I was in your place and she… turned like that… yeah. Probably wouldn't be able to do anything else." She paused. "Don't get me wrong about pushing her away, that wasn't right. But this… this other thing… can't say I know it. My reasons for pushing my mom away were different." Acacia sighed softly, her gaze meeting Kel's across the small space. "Try not to drown in the guilt, Kel."

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Bella still couldn't quite meet Kel's eyes, her expression conflicted."...I… I don't know the right words here. But… maybe… on some level… she knew you loved her. Even then."

  Kel nodded slowly, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Yeah. Thanks." Kel patted Maximus back in return. "Thanks, buddy." Maximus grunted and pulled away from him. He stood up and walked back towards his space.

  "Well," Jahir said, a thoughtful pause in his voice, "that was certainly… a lot to process."

  "Come on, Doc, a hug. I need it," Kel whined, directing a playful pout at Jahir.

  "Absolutely not. Personal space," Jahir retorted, a firm frown etched on his face.

  'He's back to his usual self. Either he processes things remarkably fast, or this is a carefully constructed distraction,' Acacia mused, observing Kel before taking a long drink of water and emptying her cup.

  "Alright, who's next in the trauma Lumina? Let's hear your sob stories!" Kel announced, his gaze sweeping around the group.

  "My name is Bella Talty—"

  "Talty?" Edwin interrupted, one eyebrow shooting skyward before he erupted in laughter. "Talty? Seriously? What kind of name sounds like a bad cough?"

  "Mind your own damn business!" Bella shot back, her glare sharp enough to cut steel. Edwin, though his shoulders still shook with suppressed laughter, managed to stifle his outburst. Clearing her throat with a pointed look at Edwin, she continued, "My name is Bella Talty. I came from a simple, loving family. My mom and dad were incredibly present, always there for me, and they had this infectious wanderlust, always dragging me along on their travels. Before all this," she gestured vaguely, "I worked as a librarian."

  "You? Surrounded by silence and books?" Kel asked, his eyebrows shooting up in genuine surprise. Acacia blinked, picturing Bella's fiery personality amidst dusty tomes.

  "Yeah, doesn't quite fit the image," Acacia murmured, and Edwin nodded in agreement, a lingering smirk playing on his lips.

  "...Anyway," Bella continued, her tone regaining its edge. "When the world decided to go sideways...this apocalypse thing... I got tossed out for refusing to wear their precious collars. Scraped by in the traders' market for a while, learned a few things about survival and backstabbing, before Zephyra found me. And then, well," a hint of bitterness entered her voice, "I fell for a traitor. So, here we are, living the dream."

  "Alright, not bad at all. Maximus looks like he's wisely opting out of this emotional rollercoaster," Kel observed, glancing at the large man who nodded his assent, a low rumble of agreement echoing from him while the others murmured in a similar accord.

  "Well, if the ladies insist," Edwin sighed dramatically, striking a mock-heroic pose. "Looks like the most devastatingly handsome among us is up next."

  "You're about as devastating as a wet sock," Acacia retorted, her expression utterly deadpan.

  "Agreed," Bella chimed in, a hint of amusement in her voice.

  "Clearly, you're both blinded by envy," Edwin scoffed, though a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Anyway, for the record, my name is Edwin Calut..." He paused for effect, his gaze sweeping over each of them expectantly.

  "And the saga continues?" Kel prompted, one eyebrow arched in playful impatience.

  "Seriously? Do you all live under a boulder?!" Edwin exclaimed, his good eye twitching with exasperation. "The Calut family? From Lalan? Ring any bells?"

  "Calut... Calut..." Acacia murmured to herself, her fingers absently twisting a strand of her hair, a flicker of recognition trying to surface.

  "Wait a minute... the royal lineage of Lalan?" Jahir asked, his brow furrowed in thought.

  "Yes! Finally, someone gets it!" Edwin beamed, a wave of relief washing over his features.

  "But... how are you connected to them?" Kel pressed, his initial surprise evident.

  "...Are you all genuinely pulling my leg right now?" Edwin's grip tightened on his plastic cup, the flimsy material creaking under the pressure. "I am from there! I am royalty! Pure blood! I am the rightful King of Lalan!"

  A beat of stunned silence hung in the air as their eyes darted between Edwin and each other. Then, a snort escaped Acacia, quickly escalating into full-blown laughter, tears welling in her eyes. One by one, the others joined in, guffaws and chuckles filling the ruined room, while Maximus simply buried his face in his hands, a low groan escaping him.

  "What in the blazes is so funny?!" Edwin demanded, his face a mixture of disbelief and bewildered indignation.

  "Goodness," Bella gasped between peals of laughter, slapping the ground beside her with each exclamation. "A king? I think you are pulling our legs "

  "No... no way he's serious," Kel stammered, his laughter dying in his throat as he registered the genuine fury contorting Edwin's features. "Oh, damn. He is serious."

  The mirth in the room gradually subsided, leaving a heavy, awkward silence. Edwin sighed, the sound laced with wounded pride. "Truly ungrateful, the lot of you," he muttered, his gaze sweeping over their faces. "But yes, I am quite serious. A king. A rather cowardly one, at that." He stared down at the flimsy plastic cup in his hand, his thumb tracing its rim before drifting up to touch the edge of his eye patch. "I hail from Lalan, from its most affluent family, the royal family. Our ways are… different from Encer. We value celebration, joy, and a certain… unhurried approach to life. My elder brother was king when I was younger. He was everything a monarch should be...beloved, capable, flawless in everything he did. A perfect son, a perfect brother. And me? I was… content to be idle. Why bother striving when my brother effortlessly handled everything? I was free to indulge my whims, to marry whoever caught my fancy, to live a life unburdened by responsibility. After all, he was the king; I was just the spare, the prince of little consequence. And honestly? I revelled in it. A life without consequences, where every problem seemed to magically resolve itself."

  "So you were lazy, huh? I can actually picture that," Bella commented.

  "If you think you're getting under my skin, your aim is spectacularly off," Edwin retorted, narrowing his good eye at her before sighing heavily. "I genuinely enjoyed my life. It was simple, predictable, until this cursed world decided to flip everything on its head. I still remember that day… the chaos, the screaming, the dying. I was frozen, paralyzed in front of some monstrous thing, and my brother… he shoved me out of the way. Took the full force of the attack. Got devoured right in front of me."

  Edwin's good eye flickered shut for a moment before snapping open again. "And you know what? I resented him for it. You were the king! Why would you sacrifice yourself for a useless nobody like me? Your life was infinitely more valuable. But that was just him… selfless to a fault. It infuriated me. Suddenly, the responsibility fell to me. I actually thought I could handle it. Ruling? How hard could it be? My brother made it look effortless. But the moment I sat on that damn throne, it hit me like a tidal wave. I knew nothing. How did he manage the endless stream of complaints? The raw anger? The constant questioning? The blatant lies? How? Every day I felt utterly drained. Every decision carried the weight of life and death. I became terrified of making choices… because if I was wrong, the blame would be absolute. But if I chose correctly? Silence. Just… expected. Expected of me until the day I die."